Musical toy



- 1,615,975 1 M. ENGLER ET AL MUSICAL TOY Fil ed May 12, 1924 V IDES Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

'MARTIN ENGLEB AND ELMER A. BENDIXON, OF CHZCGAGO, ILLINOIS.

MUSICAL TOY.

Application filed May 12,

Figure3 is a section on the line 3-.) of

Figure 2. 20

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a secti Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings The device comprises a metal drum conveniently formed, as shown, of three sections crimped together. Extending centrally through the drum is a rod or shaft 11 bent into the form of a crank 12 at one end and provided with a rotatable button 18 which serves as a handle for rotating the rod. Flanges or rings 14; are arranged on the rod 11 for engagement with the ends of the drum on on the line 55 of to hold the rod or shaft in position in the drum.

Centrally arranged Within the drum is a diaphragm 15 conveniently formed of a metal disk having-a flange 16 at its periph ery by means of which the diaphragm may be held in place by screws 17. Secured to the central portion of the diaphragm 15 is a metal block 18 which serves as a bearing for the rod 11.. On this rod is arranged a sleeve 19 having a lateral extension 20 secured thereto. Bolted to this extension is a cross-bar 21 conveniently of wood and clamped between the extension and cross bar is a metal strip 22 of spring steel or other suitable material arranged parallel to the sleeve 19. The projecting end of this strip is slotted to form a series of tangs 24. of progressively increasing length. The ends of these tangs extend into the path of a series of projections 28 on the diaphragm 15 so that as the rod 11 is turned the tangs successively strike against these projections and 1924. Serial No. 712,539.

are thereby caused to vibrate to create the musical notes required. The cross bar 21 is cut away diagonally adjacent the tangs and the extension 20 is similarly bevelled to avoid interference with the vibration 'of these tangs.

The number and spacing of the projections 23 on the diaphragm may be selected so as to enable the instrument to play a definite tune.

Behind the diaphragm may to advantage be arranged a layer of felt or other sound deadening material. While the sound emitted bythe diaphragm is deadened in this way the use of a wooden cross bar connected to the vibrating tangs acts as a sounding box and increases the volume of sound produced.

lVe are aware that many changes may be made. and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range with out departing from the principles of this invention. and we therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. A musical toy comprising a casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a cross bar fixed on said shaft, a series of sound-producing tangs mounted on said bar. a diaphragm fixed at its periphery to said casing perpendicular to said shaft, a series of projections on said diaphragm adapted to strike the tangs as the shaft is rotated thereby to pro duce the desired sound, and a handle for rotating the shaft.

2. A musical toy comprising a metal drum, a rotatable shaft axially mountedtherein, a wooden cross-bar mounted for rotation with said shaft. a metal strip secured to said crossbar parallel to the shaft and slotted at one end to provide a series of sound-producing tangs, a diaphragm fixed at its periphery within the drum perpendicular to said shaft, a series of projections thereon adapted to strike the tangs as the shaft is rotated thereby to produce the desired sound, a layer of sound-deadening material on the opposite side of said diaphragm to said projections, and a handle for rotating the shaft.

3. A musical toy comprising a metal drum, a rotatable shaft axially mounted therein, a sleeve on said shaft having a lateral extension, a wooden cross-bar bolted to said extension, a metal strip clamped between said extension and said cross bar parallel to the shaft slotted at one end to provide a series of sound-producing tangs of progressively increasing length, a diaphragm arranged within the drum perpendicular to said shaft provided with a series of projections at different radial distances from the axis of said shaft adapted to strike the tangs as the shaft is rotated and thereby produce the desired sound, a layer of soum deadening material on the side of said diaphragm opposite to said projections, and a handle for rotating the shaft.

4:. A musical toy comprising a casing, a rotatable shaft therein carrying a series of sound-producing tangs, a stationary dia- 15 phragm fixed at its edge to the interior of said casing and provided with a series of projections adapted to be struck by said tangs on rotation of said shaft, and a sounddeadening device behind said diaphragm.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto subscribed our names.

MARTIN ENGLER. ELMER A. BENDIXON. 

